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PARENTS' GROUP COMPLAIN THEY’RE UNDER PRESSURE
PARENTS' GROUP COMPLAIN THEY’RE UNDER PRESSURE
NCT URGES POLITICAL PARTIES TO ADDRESS MODERN PARENTING STRESSES
In the run up to the election NCT, the UK’s largest parenting charity, has launched a manifesto calling for the next government to address the pressures affecting modern parents.
The charity is particularly concerned about the growing commercial and economic pressures faced by parents and the obstacles they have to overcome to achieve a healthy home and work life balance.
With commercial organisations able to buy access to maternity wards so they can sell to mums and dads with babies just a few hours old, NCT warns that parents are being taken advantage of during a vulnerable and emotional time. The charity also highlights the fact that companies make considerable profit from offering packs containing free samples and information booklets in return for new parents’ contact details, which are then sold on to other marketers, while retailers’ baby clubs add to the pressure to buy the latest products and gadgets with tempting incentives and loyalty schemes.
According to a new Ipsos MORI survey commissioned by NCT, three-quarters of parents and expectant parents (74%) say they feel there is too much pressure to buy unnecessary baby products. The fact that parenting information is provided in packs created by commercial companies also worries them - 61% of all 15-45 year olds say they think it is important that essential information is provided by independent organisations free from commercial or political ties.
The new NCT manifesto also highlights the need for parents to be able to access an adequate income while playing an active role in their young children’s lives. Maternity and paternity payments currently fall below the minimum wage and NCT is calling for these to be increased so parents from all walks of life feel able to take their full leave entitlement should they wish to do so.
The charity believes that a healthy home and work life balance is essential in creating a supportive environment for children and is demanding the right to flexible working for all parents. Whilst there have been improvements in this area for mothers in the last couple of years, NCT says fathers are equally as deserving of the opportunity to work in a manner which allows them to participate as fully as possible in the care of their child.
Written by Dr Martin Harris, Doctor and Mohel for Jewish Circumcision Clinic in London Bris Mila Brit Milah.
www.circumcisionlondon.co.uk
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